“What? No!” She pulled from his grasp and clutched her hands in her lap. She couldn’t let the werewolves find out about her curse. It would ruin her.
And Chase…any chance she had at getting to know him better would crumble like a day-old, dried-out muffin. “I mean…I call it a curse…not having any powers. I guess my gift is that I can see other people’s powers. I can see magic, but I don’t have any of my own.”
He leaned back on the bench and eyed her skeptically. “You can tell by looking at me that I’m a werewolf?”
She nodded.
“How?”
“Your aura is deep-orange, and it glows with magic. The stronger the magic, the more saturated the color.” She was about to explain how deeply his aura glowed, but Chase scooted closer, the length of his muscular thigh resting against hers, making it hard for her to breathe.
It had been too long since she’d been this close to a man, and his warm, musky scent made her want to lean into his side. She felt herself drifting toward him, so she straightened.
“What about Emma?” He nodded toward his niece. “What do you see when you look at her?”
“I see a child who hasn’t come into her powers yet. Her aura is pale blue like a human’s. It could change as she matures.” Or it could stay the same if her father was human, but the disappointment in his eyes stopped her from saying the last part out loud.
“Damn.”
“I’m sorry.”
Chase looked at her, his gaze dancing around her face, curiosity in his eyes. “You are a fascinating woman, Rain Connolly.”
If he didn’t quit looking at her mouth, she might not be able to stop herself from leaning over and kissing him. “You’re pretty interesting, yourself.”
A slow smile curved his full lips, and he gazed into her eyes for a moment before looking at her mouth again. Damn it, she liked him way more than she’d planned to. If he hadn’t shown up in the park with his niece and acted all kind and fatherly, she could have continued admiring the package, assuming the inside was all testosterone and sarcasm.
Now she wanted to know him, and she wanted to start by finding out what those luscious lips tasted like. “If you want to kiss me, you—”
“Uncle Chase!” Emma climbed into his lap, breaking the trance he’d put on her and saving her from finishing the sentence that never should have left her lips. “Can we see the frozen bubbles now?”
He wrapped his arms around the little girl and kissed the top of her head. “We sure can, squirt. I need to talk to Miss Rain some more, anyway.”
Emma took both their hands and tugged them from the bench. “Let’s go.”
Rain hesitated, her heart and her stomach tangling in a dizzying dance. Had they almost kissed? If he had tried to take her mouth with his, she’d have given it to him willingly. What happened to befriending him so he could help her break the curse? She needed to keep her priorities straight. Getting her magic back was her number one goal, but she couldn’t deny the strange feelings stirring in her core.
“Do you mind if we walk you back to the bakery?” Chase asked.
She smiled at him before looking at Emma. “I’m sure my sister will be thrilled to meet you.”
They strolled four blocks to the bakery in a line, Emma between them holding their hands. The adults remained quiet as the little girl babbled on about Toby from the park, occasionally hanging back and running forward for them to lift her in the air by the hands.
The whole scene felt surreal, walking hand-in-hand with this child, Chase by her side, glancing at her from time to time, a strange smile lighting on his lips. They must have looked like a family to passersby.
She’d better enjoy it now because this was the closest she’d ever get to having her own family, unless she could lift this curse.
As they crossed Bourbon Street, two boys with flattened soda cans attached to their sneakers performed a tap dance on the corner. The rhythmic beat of metal striking pavement created a percussive melody that drew a crowd of onlookers. The smaller boy rose onto the tips of his toes and spun, waving his arms in a windmill motion and ending the routine in a flourish.
“Cool!” Emma shouted, and she tugged Rain toward Chase, placing her hand in his and leaving them to run toward the boys.
Chase didn’t jerk away. Instead, he tightened his grip, yanking her to his body and wrapping his arms around her, saving her from being flattened by a taxi. The driver blared the horn and shook his fist out the window, shouting a string of profanities at the people on the street.
“Best to keep to the sidewalks during the day, even on Bourbon Street.” Chase’s chest rumbled as he spoke, and with her face pressed against him, she couldn’t help but notice the firm muscles beneath his shirt.
“You okay?” His chin brushed the top of her head, and…was that his nose? Did he smell her hair? The tingling, bubbly sensation shooting through her insides could have been an adrenaline rush from being nearly run over by a car, but the man holding her in a tight embrace was more likely the reason.
She peered up at him, and he didn’t let her go. “I’m fine.” This close to his lips, she could almost taste them on her tongue. Cinnamon, probably. Warm and slightly sweet. “Thank you for not letting me get run over. That was kind of you.”
He smiled. “My pleasure.”
Oh, goddess no. He’d shown her kindness. In keeping her from being struck by the taxi, he’d unwittingly set himself up for his own tragedy. How could she have let this happen? She’d rather be lying bruised and bloody on the blacktop than for Chase to endure some disaster for helping her. Crap!
Jerking from his embrace, she smoothed her shirt down her stomach and scurried away. “I need to get back to the bakery. Stop by when Emma’s done playing and give me the deposit.” She rushed across the street.
“Rain, stop.”
She glanced behind her as Chase snatched Emma around the waist and threw her onto his shoulder before following her through the intersection.
His niece giggled as he caught up and set her on her feet. “That was fun! Do it again!”
He mussed her hair. “In a minute, squirt. Wait up, Rain. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She continued her trek to the bakery, yanked open the door, and glared at her sister as she marched behind the counter. She needed to get herself under control. Change the subject before he pressed her for answers she couldn’t give.
Chase caught the door and ushered his niece through. The girl ran to the nearest display case and stared, wide-eyed, at the treats inside. “Can I have a cookie?” She glanced at Chase before focusing on the desserts.
“Sure.” He sauntered toward the counter, casting Rain a quizzical look, and opened his mouth to speak.
She cut him off. “Emma, this is my sister, Snow. Why don’t you show her your bubbles?”
Emma’s face brightened. “Give me my bubbles, Uncle Chase.”
“I don’t have them.” His gaze lingered on Rain before he looked at his niece. “You must’ve left them in the park.”
“Aw.” Her entire body deflated.
Snow cut her gaze between Rain and Chase and grinned. “That’s okay. We can make some in the kitchen with dish soap and a cookie cutter.”
The little girl bounced on her toes. “And Rain said you can make them freeze.”
Snow laughed. “I sure can. Come back to the kitchen with me.”
Chase stiffened. “That’s not a good idea, Emma. You need to stay out here where I can see you.”
Rain crossed her arms, torn between swooning at his protective instincts and being offended that he didn’t trust her sister.
“The sink is right here by the doorway,” Snow said. “You’ll be able to see her the whole time.”
“Please, Uncle Chase?” Emma batted her lashes, her hazel eyes imploring him until he crumbled.
“Okay. But stay where you can see me. If you can’t see me, that means I can’t see you either, and then I’ll have to hunt for you.”<
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Emma curled her fingers into claws and growled at Chase before scurrying around the counter to the kitchen.
He kept his gaze trained on his niece until he appeared satisfied Snow wasn’t going to kidnap her. Then he turned his green-gold eyes to Rain and took her hand.
She slipped from his grasp. “Witches don’t eat children outside of fairy tales, you know. Emma is safe here.”
He blinked. “I know. I’m not worried.”
She scoffed. “You could’ve fooled me.”
“Did I do something to offend you? I thought saving you from a head-on collision with a taxi was rather chivalrous of me, but it seems to have upset you.”
She let out an exasperated sigh. “I said thank you. What more do you want from me?”
Leaning an elbow on the counter, he slipped his tongue out to moisten his lips before speaking. “I want you to finish what you were saying at the park. You said if I wanted to kiss you, I should…”
Emma giggled as a frozen bubble shattered on the floor. Chase glanced in her direction before focusing on Rain again. He really wasn’t going to let this go.
Did she want to kiss him? Goddess yes, she did. She wanted to do a whole lot more than kiss the sexy werewolf, who had managed to inch his way around the counter to stand next to her, but she couldn’t. She’d already put him and his adorable little niece at risk by spending the past hour with them. This had to end. Right here, right now.
“I was going to say that if you want to kiss me, you should reconsider. I’m not interested.” Lifting a shoulder, she turned her back to him and rummaged through a drawer to make herself look busy. Even if she wasn’t cursed, he either had a grudge against her or witches in general, so things would never work out between them. Relationships had to be built on trust, and he hadn’t shown her an ounce of it.
His sigh was audible, though she couldn’t tell if it was from disappointment or frustration. “How much is the deposit?”
She straightened and slammed the drawer shut. “Three hundred dollars will reserve the date. I’ll need half of the remainder one month in advance of the wedding. The second half will be billed after delivery.”
He handed her a credit card. “It’s got Luke’s name on it, but I’m authorized to sign for it.”
If this had been a human wedding, she’d have refused the card. With so much credit fraud going on these days, she didn’t like to take chances. She had no doubts about Chase, though. If he’d stolen the alpha’s credit card, he’d have to buy a lot more than wedding cake to make the punishment he’d likely endure worthwhile.
She swiped the card and handed him the ticket to sign. “That’s all I need from you then, unless you’re picking out the design as well.”
He cringed. “God, I hope I’m not.”
“Please let Luke and Macey know I’ll need their design decisions in three weeks. It’s been nice doing business with you.” She inclined her chin hoping to end the conversation.
He didn’t take the hint. “Listen, Rain…” He let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. “Are you sure you don’t know of any other Miami witches in the area? No friends or family came to visit you or your sister this week?”
No one she knew wanted to be within one hundred miles of her and her curse. “No one; I’m sure of it. Why do you ask?”
“There’s a body in the morgue.”
That’s what this was about? He’d stalked her in the park because someone was dead and he thought she was involved? She stacked the papers and jammed them into the stapler. “I’m sure there are lots of bodies in the morgue.”
He laid his hands flat on the counter. “She’s a witch…from Miami.”
Her heart thrummed. “How do you know that?”
“She has a coven tattoo on her chest. The high priestess identified it as Miami.”
Her throat thickened. If he’d talked to Calista, she might have told him about her curse. But surely, if he knew, the alpha wouldn’t want her at his wedding. He wouldn’t have paid the deposit… “I didn’t know werewolves and witches worked so closely.”
“We don’t, unless our secrecy is threatened. She appears to have died from supernatural causes. Do you think you could identify her?”
Goddess, she hoped not. “Miami is a big city, and there are far more witches than werewolves. The chances of me knowing her are slim.”
“Maybe you can identify the type of magic that killed her. You can see magic, right?”
She shook her head. “I can, but only in a living person. I don’t think I can do much for you in this case.”
He laced his fingers together. “Please? I could really use your help. I promise I’ll leave you alone after this.”
Her breath hitched. Leave her alone? That was the last thing she wanted, though it would be best for him…and for her since he’d apparently been acting interested so she would help him identify a body. Of course, her initial reason for befriending him wasn’t exactly virtuous either. Maybe they were both feeling things they hadn’t planned to feel.
Her curse specifically stated witches would be punished for showing her kindness, but she didn’t want to take any chances with Chase. He was a supernatural being, so the curse might affect him.
Then again, she was supposed to be leading a selfless life, and he needed her help. She owed it to him for saving her life. “Okay. I don’t know how much help I’ll be, but I’ll give it a shot.”
He smiled. “Great. I’ll talk to Macey and see when she can get us into the morgue.”
“The alpha’s mate?”
“She’s a detective.” He picked up a business card from the counter. “Is this the best number to reach you at?”
“Let me give you my cell. I don’t answer that number after hours.” She took the card and scribbled her personal number on the back before handing it to him.
“Thank you. I’ll be in touch.” He ambled behind the counter to the kitchen, taking his time as if he didn’t want to leave yet. “Time to go, squirt.”
“Can I take them home?” Emma scooped up an armful of frozen bubbles. “They’re so pretty.”
He laughed. “They’ll melt by the time we get them to the house.”
“I gave them an extra-hard freeze,” Snow said. “They should be good for at least an hour.”
“I guess so, then.” With his hand on Emma’s shoulder, he guided her to the storefront.
Rain handed him two chocolate chip cookies in a white paper bag. “Here’s that cookie you promised her. There’s one for you too.”
He eyed the bag skeptically. “These didn’t come from that shelf, did they?” He nodded toward the clarity cookies.
Irritation grated in her chest like sandpaper against her sternum. What would it take for him to trust her? “They’re completely mundane. I’ll take a bite myself to prove it to you if you want.”
The look in his eyes said he was considering her offer. Luckily, he shook his head instead. “I’ll take your word for it. Thanks.”
He opened the door and nodded for Emma to pass.
“Call me,” Rain said as he stepped through the threshold. She grimaced. Why the hell did I say that?
He paused and grinned. “I will.”
As the door clicked shut behind him, Snow giggled. “Call me,” she sang in a mocking tone.
Rain closed her eyes for a long blink, trying not to direct her irritation at her sister. “I did not mean to say that out loud.”
“What did you mean to say?”
“Go away. I never want to see you again.” Those cookies would be tossed into the first trashcan he saw, and the fact that he distrusted her that much when she’d done nothing wrong gnawed in her gut.
Snow laughed. “That’s the fattest lie I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth. You want him.”
“So?” She rolled her eyes. How could she be attracted to a man who emanated so much distrust?
“So…the bad boy werewolf turned out to be a family man. How hot is that?”
> Then again, he was protecting his niece. She sank onto a stool and slouched her shoulders. “Extremely.”
Snow climbed onto the stool next to her, excitement dancing in her eyes. “What are you going to do about it?”
She took a deep breath and drummed her nails on the counter. “I’m going to look at a dead body.”
Chapter Seven
Chase grabbed his second Blue Moon beer from the fridge and settled into a chair at the kitchen table.
“You’re taking her to the morgue on your first date?” Luke took a swig from his bottle. “Wouldn’t be my first choice.”
Drumming his fingers on the wood, Chase took a long drink, savoring the way the citrusy effervescence danced on his tongue, tickling his throat as it made its way down to his stomach. He could imagine what Rain’s plump, pink lips would taste like…sweet like the beautiful cakes she created, maybe with a hint of strawberry to match their color.
He’d had the chance to taste them at the park that afternoon. Then he’d hesitated, and he’d dodged a bullet. His lips didn’t need to get anywhere near the witch.
He set the bottle on the table with a thud and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “It’s not a date; it’s business. Anyway, she’s a suspect. I’m not getting involved with a possible enemy.”
Luke chuckled. “Is she really a suspect? Do we need to find another bakery?”
Chase grumbled. “No. She should be a suspect, but…”
“You trust her.”
“I’m more afraid she’ll be a target.” The mere idea of finding Rain in the morgue with the life drained out of her had his beast begging to come out. He’d stalk the perimeter of the bakery, making sure nothing could harm her. Hell, if he had his way, he’d bring her to his house and keep her there until they figured out whether the murder was a one-off thing or they caught the bastard who killed the witch.
Luke nodded. “You feel a deep, primal need to protect her, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” It didn’t mean anything. Ever since Emma was born he’d felt the need to protect his own. His family. His pack. Rain may not have been a werewolf, but the alpha had put Chase in charge of the witch, and he took his job seriously.
Beneath a Blue Moon (Crescent City Wolf Pack Book 2) Page 7